Plastic guns made on 3-D printers pose law enforcement challenges

With a law banning undetectable firearms about to expire, federal agents are focusing attention on the latest twist in high-tech weaponry: guns made entirely out of plastic on 3-D industrial printers.

The printers, commonly used to create plastic models and prototypes, can now make guns that cannot be picked up by metal detectors.

The longtime ban on undetectable firearms is scheduled to run out Dec. 9, and two Democratic senators, Chuck Schumer of New York and Bill Nelson of Florida, have called for a ban on plastic guns. Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., has also introduced legislation on the issue.

"The expiration of this law, combined with advances in 3-D printing, make what was once a hypothetical threat into a terrifying reality," Schumer said. "We are actively exploring all options to pass legislation that will eliminate the problem."

In a meeting with reporters Wednesday, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said plastic guns present a special challenge for law enforcement.

The agents said that in order to comply with current law, a person manufacturing a gun must use a certain amount of metal in the finished product so that the firearm is detectable by scanners at airports, federal buildings, sporting events — anywhere security screening is in place. If the law expires, someone could legally make and sell firearms that are undetectable.

A loophole in the existing law allows someone to make an illegal gun legal by simply attaching a removable metal piece to the weapon. That piece could be detached if someone wanted to sneak the weapon into a protected location.

The legislation proposed by Israel would require that certain major components of a gun be made of metal.

ATF spokesman Christopher Amon said the agency does not comment on specific legislation but provides technical advice and assistance to members of Congress and their staffs on a variety of firearms-related matters.

The Justice Department has not weighed in on the issue.

The Associated Press